TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE, MAKE A DIFFERENCE

1395367807836 https://www.defencepioneer.sg/images/default-source/_migrated_english/1395367807836.jpg?sfvrsn=1b46a210_2 https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/TAKE-UP-THE-CHALLENGE-MAKE-A-DIFFERENCE
https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/TAKE-UP-THE-CHALLENGE-MAKE-A-DIFFERENCE
TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE, MAKE A DIFFERENCE
28 Apr 2014 | PEOPLE

TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE, MAKE A DIFFERENCE

STORY // Courtesy Of MAJ Neo
PHOTO // Courtesy Of MAJ Neo

Major (MAJ) Neo Su Yin, 33, Commanding Officer (CO) of RSS Dauntless, joined the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in 1999. Awarded the SAF Merit Scholarship in 1999, she graduated from the University of Nottingham with a Masters in Psychology in 2003 and has served in the Navy for 10 years since then.

When I told my Junior College mates I was joining the military, I remember that they thought I was nuts. While they were trying to get out of going to National Service, there I was voluntarily opting to go in.

Looking back, while BMT (Basic Military Training) was tough and rigorous, the camaraderie and esprit de corps of my platoon mates and instructors gave me the strength to see through the most trying times. It also reaffirmed my decision to want to be a part of this institution that emphasises teamwork.

As early as during my first shipboard appointment as the Navigating Officer of Landing Ship Tank (LST) RSS Persistence, I was sent to Meulaboh, Indonesia - my first humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission - to provide aid after the devastating Boxing Day tsunami in 2004. The sight of the devastation then is forever imprinted in my mind, but what I will never forget, too, is the resilience of the local people we met and the hope that things will get better.

I was also given the opportunity to study at the United States Naval War College in the scenic state of Rhode Island. My husband and son accompanied me on this six-month Command and Staff Course, during which we had the chance to experience the American way of life. The friendships and bonds made during this course have come a long way since I graduated in June 2011, and I know that I can call a friend any time, no matter which part of the world I am in.

More recently, I was deployed for counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, in 2010, on board LST RSS Endurance and in 2011, on board LST RSS Endeavour. The highlight of my deployments happened during the latter when we prevented pirate attacks on two merchant ships and apprehended a skiff full of Somalian pirates.

Currently, I serve as the CO of RSS Dauntless, a Fearless-Class Patrol Vessel, and it has been the most fulfilling tour of my career thus far. Not only am I given the responsibility of running a multi-million dollar naval vessel, but I also make a direct impact on the professional development and personal growth of the people under my charge. If I had to choose my career again, I would most certainly still pick the Navy.





Suggested Reading
Cover story
COORDINATED JUMP BY RED LIONS & NAVAL DIVERS AT NDP
PEOPLE
28 Apr 2014

It’s the first time the Red Lions and Naval Divers are jumping into two different locations – the Padang and Marina Bay respectively – as part of a coordinated display!

Feature
60 YEARS ON, THEIR COMMITMENT REMAINS STRONG
PEOPLE
28 Apr 2014

The SAF celebrated its 60th anniversary on 1 Jul with a special SAF Day Parade and Combined Rededication Ceremonies across Singapore. 

Cover story
BRINGING THEIR A-GAME IN SAF BEST UNIT COMPETITION
PEOPLE
28 Apr 2014

These units were recognised for their outstanding achievements in this year’s SAF Best Unit Competition. Find out what makes them champions!

Feature
RECOGNISING THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SAF
PEOPLE
28 Apr 2014

These servicemen were among over 1,200 MINDEF and SAF personnel who are being promoted for their good performance and potential – meet COL Fairoz, SWO Zulkarnaen, MAJ Muhammad Iskandar and 1SG Muhd Hidhir.

NDP 2025 SHOW EXPANDS FROM PADANG TO MARINA BAY
PEOPLE
28 Apr 2014

This year’s NDP show will be a musical extravaganza with over 3,000 performers, eight land and water floats, and the largest mobile stage ever used in NDP history!

Feature
PREPARING THE PARADE FOR SAF’S DIAMOND JUBILEE
PEOPLE
28 Apr 2014

SAF Day Parade Commander LTC Shew Narian and Parade Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) ME4 Lee Han Seng share how they and the parade participants have been hard at work to put up the perfect parade come 1 Jul.

Cover story
First air-land-sea display at NDP 2025 Mobile Column
PEOPLE
28 Apr 2014

The NDP Mobile Column makes its highly anticipated return this year not just on land, but also in the air and in the waters of Marina Bay!

SAFVC turns 10, promotes senior volunteers to SV4
PEOPLE
28 Apr 2014

Marking a decade of duty, the SAF Volunteer Corps (SAFVC) celebrates its 10th anniversary this year with a special parade featuring some of its first as well as latest batch of volunteers.

FROM COMMANDO TO NAVAL OFFICER
PEOPLE
28 Apr 2014

A Commando NSF turned Naval Officer, 2LT Arjan Singh made the transition from jungle to sea when he signed up with the Navy.

My Dad and I, marching together for S’pore
PEOPLE
28 Apr 2014

It’s not often you’ll find a father-and-son pair marching together at the National Day Parade (NDP), much less in the same Guard of Honour (GOH) contingent!